Abstract: An enhanced membrane interface probe (MIP) is disclosed including: a modular membrane interface probe (MIP) sensor constructed from a plurality of modular components allowing field serviceable replacement of any malfunctioning components of the plurality of modular components. The modular MIP can include: an external barrel having a cavity; or (or throughout means and/or, i.e., a logical or operation) an inner core barrel assembly field-insertable into the cavity having a heater cavity, where the heater cavity is adapted to receive a field-insertable removable cartridge heating element. The modular MIP can include a removable conductivity nose assembly, a field-insertable removable cartridge heating element, or a waterproof electrical connector and/or an o-ring seal.

Abstract: A cluster of processing systems is provided wherein each processing system is set to operate at a unique operating frequency. Each unique frequency is set to differ from each other by at least a predetermined frequency differential or bandwidth. When clustered, the radiated emissions will not add. Rather, the RF energy is distributed over the predetermined frequency bandwidth and in so doing achieve a reduction of measured RF energy at any singular frequency. By using RF energy dispersal in systems consisting of aggregated processing elements as subsystems, the need for special or additional RF shielding is precluded. Current design and manufacturing techniques can continue to be used. Thus, reducing the overall cost of implementing aggregated systems.

Abstract: A mobile phone has a transmitter coil forming a first part of an inductive link for forwarding sound signals received by the mobile phone and an earpiece for fitting into an ear canal and having a housing of which at least a proximal portion can fit within the ear canal. The housing contains a receiver coil forming a second part of the inductive link for receiving sound signals from the transmitter, an amplifier for amplifying the sound signals received by the receiver coil, a transducer for reproducing the received sound signals; and a space for a battery. The amplifier has means responsive to received signal level for squelching its output at low levels of detected signal.

Abstract: An electric discharge machining sampling apparatus for obtaining samples from a surface of metal components provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the sampling apparatus is operable underwater and includes a base plate and an electrode assembly movably coupled to the base plate. The electrode assembly includes an electric discharge electrode and an electrode holder with the electrode including at least one bore extending therethrough. The sampling apparatus also includes a particle collection assembly operatively coupled to the electrode. Each electrode bore is in flow communication with the particle collection assembly.

Abstract: Computerized method and system for servicing a selected piece of equipment made up of a plurality of systems and subject to unique system configurations and servicing requirements are provided. The method allows to respectively provide a database including detailed system configuration data regarding a selected piece of equipment, and a database including service modules for facilitating the servicing of equipment of a group of equipment that includes a selected piece of equipment. The method further allows to provide a respective identifier for uniquely identifying any selected equipment, and an input/output device to communicate with the databases. Respective accessing steps allow to access the database having configuration data to interface with the detailed system configuration data, and the database having the service modules to interface with at least one of the service modules.

Abstract: Data or control signals are communicated over a three phase power cable supplying power from a surface location to a motor/pump assembly located within a wellbore utilizing modulated radio frequency signals. The radio frequency signals may be impressed on the power cable through physical taps to the power cable conductors or by reactive coupling to the power cable. The transmission frequency is selected from a range of frequencies which propagate through the motor windings and up the power cable with sufficient amplitude to be received and processed. The modulated RF signal may be transmitted concurrently with the three phase power on the power cable, and simultaneous bidirectional communications between the surface and downhole locations may be supported utilizing, for example, discrete frequencies for transmission in different directions.

Abstract: A method of determining an engine controller module (ECM) parameter set, the method includes specifying at least one criteria, determining whether at least one existing parameter set matches the specified criteria, presenting a report that indicates at least one matching parameter set when there is at least one matching parameter set, and presenting an alert when there is no matching parameter set, wherein the method is implemented via an ECM vendor extranet on a World Wide Web server.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for automatic level control (ALC) in a video signal processing system. The new ALC of the invention takes into account the gain applied to the video signal, such as that provided by an associated automatic gain control (AGC). Methods and systems of the invention use present gain control values and previous gain control values in quickly converging to a new offset control value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container comprising nicotine to be inhaled, which is able to retain and release nicotine, and which comprises a shaped mass of fibers and/or filaments. Further, the present invention relates to the use of said container in an inhaling device for obtaining a quick and/or complete reduction of the urge to smoke or use of tobacco and/or for providing a sense of smoking satisfaction without smoking and to the use of said container in smoking cessation therapy.

Abstract: A sub-chassis bracket attached to a horizontal motherboard has holes: (a) through which the connectors pass and that space the connectors apart by an intended nominal amount; and (b) that allow the connectors to shift horizontally as needed to form the mechanical path from a particular spacing on the motherboard to a front panel, with its own actual particular spacing, and to which panel the connectors are each fastened with a nut. The nuts are have a symmetrically tapered or curved surface on the side that contacts the outside of the panel, whose holes therethrough are somewhat oversize. The nuts individually center the connectors in their respective panel holes, and draw each connector perpendicular to the panel. To provide a particular connector feature orientation, and to prevent the connectors from rotating and disturbing that orientation during the tightening of the nuts, each connector has a central region of increased diameter that has two flats and that forms a shoulder.

Abstract: A system, method, and process that determine and automatically correct registration errors between printed objects and mechanically produced objects using advanced image processing techniques is disclosed. Means are also presented for maintaining all registered functions to within very close tolerances during normal running, with other means for rapidly obtaining initial registration with substantial savings in material waste. The disclosed system and method/process are compatible with the printing and converting industry in which rolls of material are processed by printing a number of colors that require close registration especially in pictorial representation. These roll-fed printing machines are quite versatile and in addition to the printing of any number of colors on both front and back can perform any number of additional operations on the printed web at the same time.

Abstract: An optic fiber connector includes a self-contained optical fiber cartridge (12), that can be easily inserted into a passageway (16) of a connector housing (14), and easily removed and replaced, without exposing the coil spring (52) that urges the terminus forwardly. The cartridge includes a frame (20) that completely encircles the spring in all terminus positions and that also surrounds much of the terminus.

Abstract: An inductor is wound axially around a cylindrical center structure, such as a core or form, so that each turn includes portions extending axially along a circumferential outer surface of the center structure and portions extending across the end surfaces of the center structure. Adjacent axial portions, which are preferably but not necessarily consecutive turns, carry current in the same direction to the extent possible. External magnetic fields therefore fall off rapidly and at least partially offset so that the inductor can handle high currents such as those relating to filtered electric power transmitted into a borehole for powering artificial lift equipment.

Abstract: A method for unlocking a steering system that includes detecting and validating an identity input. After the identity input is validated a vehicle start command is detected and thereafter a steering assist mechanism is enabled. Once the steering assist mechanism is enabled, a force is applied to a steering column utilizing the steering assist mechanism. Following an application of the force by the steering assist mechanism, the steering system is unlocked by an unlocking mechanism. After unlocking of the steering system, a vehicle may then be started. The application of the force to the steering column may be alternating application of a clockwise and counterclockwise torque or may be a directional torque applied to the steering column based on a measured steering characteristic.

Abstract: A compressor comprises a compressor pump unit and a motor for driving the pump unit. A compressor housing surrounds the compressor pump unit and the motor. A cable supplies power to the motor through a power supply housing mounted to the compressor housing. The power supply housing has a fence with a slot that permits insertion of the cable along a first axis and removal of the cable along a second axis transverse to the first axis. A clip couples the cable to the power supply housing, limiting movement of the cable along the second axis.

Abstract: An improved de-ghosting method and system that utilizes multi-component marine seismic data recorded in a fluid medium. The method makes use of two types of data: pressure data that represents the pressure in the fluid medium, such as sea water, at a number of locations; and vertical particle motion data that represents the vertical particle motion of the acoustic energy propagating in the fluid medium at a number of locations within the same spatial area as the pressure data. The vertical particle motion data can be in various forms, for example, velocity, pressure gradient, displacement, or acceleration. A spatial filter is designed so as to be effective at separating up and down propagating acoustic energy over substantially the entire range of non-horizontal incidence angles in the fluid medium.

Abstract: An electrical connector system for use with an automobile power control module has been provided, which comprises a plurality of sealed plug assemblies and a header assembly. Each of the sealed plug assemblies includes a cam lever. The header assembly includes a plurality of shrouds for receiving the plurality of sealed plug assemblies. The plurality of shrouds corresponds to the plurality of sealed plug assemblies. Each of the sealed plug assemblies is mated into one of the plurality of shrouds through a movement of said cam lever.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for automatic gain control (AGC) in circuits. The disclosed methods and systems provide accurate and rapidly converging automatic gain control suited for video applications. According to disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention, a signal amplitude controlling method is responsive to gain underflow or overflow. A new fine gain control value is extrapolated and a new coarse gain control value is determined. The new fine gain and new coarse gain control values are applied to the signal to produce an output signal within a pre-selected output amplitude range.